The wrist chip is a personal interface device common throughout the Compact of Humanity in Assembly and among other primate sapient species, including the Gelt. It is typically installed just beneath the skin near the wrist and works in conjunction with a user’s personal nanite swarm.
- Integration with Nanites:
Wrist chips sync with an individual’s nanite swarm, enabling a wide range of functions including communication, authentication, medical monitoring, and personal data storage. - Nano-Tattoo Interface:
Most users pair their chip with a nano-tattoo embedded in the palm—left for right-handed users and right for lefthanders. This tattoo acts as a display and control interface, capable of projecting simple video feeds or low-resolution holograms just above the hand. - Cross-Species Use:
Similar technology is used by most known primate species. Gelt wrist chips function almost identically and are often compatible with human systems, though sometimes require translation protocols or firmware adaptation. - Masking and Overlays:
The system is capable of being masked with digital overlays. These overlays can obscure identity data, mimic another user’s chip signature, or display false credentials. This feature is frequently exploited in intelligence work, espionage, and organized crime. - Common Uses:
- Payment authorization
- Identity verification
- Real-time communication
- Personal health monitoring
- Holographic note-taking and playback
- Augmented-reality overlays for navigation and data analysis
Wrist chips are ubiquitous across Compact worlds, often implanted in childhood or upon entering school or military service. While powerful, they are also a target for hacking, prompting the development of countermeasures and frequent firmware updates.
It’s common for users to “slam down the phone” by ending video or holographic communications during contentious conversations by making a fist.